Device for retaining a boot on a sports apparatus

ABSTRACT

Device for retaining a boot on a sports apparatus, the device including a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, and at least one strap connected to each of the edges by first and second fasteners. At least one of the fasteners of the device has a guide located on one of the elements that constitute the edge and the strap, a stop located on the other of the elements that constitute the edge and the strap, as well as a mechanism for locking the stop with respect to the guide.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is based upon French application No. 01.15665, filed on Nov. 26, 2001, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety and priority of which is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a device for retaining a boot on a sports apparatus for which the retention of the boot is achieved by means of at least one strap.

[0004] 2. Description of Background and Relevant Information

[0005] Devices of the above-mentioned type are used for snowboarding, skiing, water skiing, walking with snowshoes, roller skating, and the like.

[0006] A strap device according to prior art generally has a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, and at least one strap connected to each of the edges by first and second fasteners.

[0007] That is the case, for example, in snowboarding where the boot is retained between the lateral edges. Each fastener has a series of holes made in an edge, a hole made in the strap, and a screw that extends through one edge hole and the strap hole.

[0008] The adjustment of the position of the strap along the edge involves disassembling the screw by means of a tool, a displacement of the strap with respect to the edge, as well as re-assembling the screw by means of the tool.

[0009] The adjustment of the position of the strap along the edge is both long and tedious, especially when this occurs in snow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] According to the invention, the positioning of a strap along one edge of a retaining device is facilitated.

[0011] To this end, the invention proposes a device for retaining a boot on a sports apparatus, the device having a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, and at least one strap connected to each of the edges by first and second fasteners.

[0012] At least one of the fasteners of the device according to the invention has a guide located on one of the elements that constitute the edge and the strap, a stop located on the other of the elements that constitute the edge and the strap, as well as a mechanism for locking the stop with respect to the guide.

[0013] A displacement of the strap with respect to the edge occurs by sliding the stop along the guide. This allows for a quick adjustment since the strap no longer has to be disassembled in order to adjust its position. The invention encompasses the immobilization of the strap with respect to the edge occurring through a quick locking mechanism.

[0014] Thus, it is possible to quickly and easily adjust the position of the strap along the edge without disassembling then re-assembling the strap.

[0015] Among the advantages that result therefrom, time is saved, there is no risk of losing an element of the device, such as a screw, and one does not have to use a tool that is separate from the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following description, with reference to the attached drawings showing according to non-limiting examples how the invention can be embodied, and in which:

[0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a retaining device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view along the line II-II of FIG. 1;

[0019]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line III-III of FIG. 2;

[0020]FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a retaining device according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0021]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along the line V-V of FIG. 4, in a case where the locking mechanism is locked;

[0022]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5, in a case where the locking mechanism is unlocked.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Although the examples described hereinafter relate more to the field of snowboarding, it should be understood that they also apply to other fields as mentioned hereinabove.

[0024] The first example is shown by means of FIGS. 1-3.

[0025] As seen in FIG. 1, a retaining device 1 allows a boot (not shown) to be removably retained on a board 2, such as a snowboard.

[0026] In a known manner, the retaining device 1 has a base 3 that extends longitudinally between a rear end 4 and a front end 5.

[0027] The base 3 has an upper surface 6 provided to be opposite the boot sole, and a lower surface 7 provided to be above the board.

[0028] The base 3 is retained on the board 2 by a means shown in the form of a disk 10 that is itself retained on the board 2 by screws 11.

[0029] Other means for retaining the base 3 could be provided within the scope of the invention.

[0030] The base 3 is laterally bordered with a first flange or edge 12 and by a second flange or edge 13. When the boot is in place on the device 1, the edges 12, 13 extend laterally along the sole. The edges 12, 13 are connected by an arch 14 in the area of the rear end 4.

[0031] It is within the scope of the invention that the base 3, the edges 12, 13, and the arch 14 form a unitary assembly made, for example, of a synthetic material. Nevertheless, it could be provided that the edges or the arch be parts affixed to the base by any other means, such as gluing, welding, screwing, nesting, or the like.

[0032] A rear support element 15 allows a user to be supported rearwardly with the lower leg. The rear support element 15 is affixed to the edges 12, 13, for example, by means of journals 16 (one of which is shown in FIG. 1).

[0033] Two straps are also provided to removably retain the boot on the base 3 between the edges 12, 13.

[0034] A first strap 20 is located at the front, in the area of the metatarso-phalangeal articulation, when the foot is retained. A second strap 21 is located at the rear, in the area of the instep, when the foot is retained.

[0035] Each of the straps 20, 21 extends transversely between the first 12 and second 13 edges.

[0036] A different number of straps could be alternatively provided within the scope of the invention.

[0037] Only one of the straps is described hereinafter for reasons of convenience.

[0038] For example, the first strap 20 is represented in the form of an association of two portions that are constituted by a first portion 22 and by a second portion 23.

[0039] A connecting means is provided to removably connect the first 22 and second 23 portions together. This means has, for example, a ratchet tightening mechanism 24 fixed in the area of a free end 25 of the second portion 23. The connecting means also has a series of teeth 26 that are configured on the first portion 22

[0040] By acting on a lever 30 of the mechanism 24, it is possible to tighten the strap 20 by bringing the free end 25 of the second portion 23 toward the first edge 12. By acting on a button 31 of the mechanism 24, it is possible to loosen the strap 20 or even to open it. In the latter case, the first 22 and second 23 portions are separated.

[0041] Other means could be provided to connect the first 22 and second 23 portions, within the scope of the invention.

[0042] The first strap 20 is connected to the first edge 12 by a first fastener 32, and to the second edge 13 by a second fastener 33.

[0043] According to the invention, at least one of the fasteners 32, 33 has a guide located on one of the elements that constitute the edge 12, 13 and the strap 20, 21, a stop located on the other of the elements that constitute the edge and the strap, as well as a mechanism for quickly locking the stop with respect to the guide.

[0044] For reasons of convenience, only one of the fasteners 32, 33 is described hereinafter, by means of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. This is the first fastener 32 of the first strap 20.

[0045] It is to be understood that what relates to the first fastener 32 can be applied to all of the strap fasteners.

[0046] For the first embodiment of the invention, the guide is shown in the form of a slit 40 provided in the first edge 12 of the device 1. The slit 40 is oriented parallel to the edge 12, i.e., parallel to a longitudinal direction of the device, by being transversely demarcated by an outer wall 41 and an inner wall 42. The slit 40 opens out in the area of the lower surface 7 of the device 1, of the top 43 of the edge 12, as well as of the front surface 44 of the edge 12.

[0047] As for the stop, it is provided in the form of a journal 50, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The latter is, for example, forcibly mounted in a hole of the first portion 22 of the first strap 20, along an axis 51 that is substantially perpendicular to the first portion 22. After mounting, the journal 50 projects on both sides of the first portion 22.

[0048] In order to allow the housing of the first portion 22 with the journal 50, the slit 40 has a wide portion 52 on the side of the lower surface 7 of the device 1, as well as a narrow portion 53 on the side of the top 43 of the edge.

[0049] The portion 22 of the strap is introduced in the slit 40 by passing the teeth 26 in a direction that goes from the wide portion 52 toward the narrow portion 53 of the slit. The portion 22 is pulled in the direction of introduction, until the journal 50 takes support on the surface 54 separating the wide 52 and narrow 53 portions of the slit 40.

[0050] As seen clearly in FIG. 2, the slit 40 has a length, measured in the direction of the length of the edge 12, that is clearly greater than the diameter of the journal 50. Thus, it is possible to displace the journal 50 and consequently the portion 22 of the first strap 20 in the direction of the length of the slit 40.

[0051] In order to immobilize the journal 50 in a given position along the slit 40, the quick locking mechanism is used. The latter has a specific shape given to the separating surface 54, on the one hand, and an elastic means that constantly biases the journal 50 toward the separating surface 54, on the other hand.

[0052] The latter has alternating projections and recesses, for example, a central projection 55 separating two recesses 56, 57. The shape of the separating surface 54 is undulated. A different number of projections and recesses can be, alternatively, provided.

[0053] The elastic means is shown in the form of a leaf spring 60, each of the ends 61, 62 of which is engaged under the ribs 63, 64 of the walls of the slit 40. The spring 60 is curved inward so as to press on the first portion 22 of the first strap 20. The support of the spring 60 occurs in the direction for mounting the first portion 22. Thus, the spring 60 maintains the first portion 22 in place with respect to the slit 40, through contact of the journal 50 with the separating surface 54.

[0054] Each recess 56, 57 of the separating surface 54 corresponds to a stable position of the journal 50. This means that without any outside action, the journal 50 remains in a stationary position along the slit 40. The circular shape of the journal 50 allows a rotation along the axis 51. Thus, the strap 20 can easily be pressed against the boot when being retained in the device 1, or tilt forwardly when the boot is put on or removed.

[0055] During the retention of the boot, the tightening of the first strap 20 biases the journal 50 in the same direction as the spring 60. Consequently, the journal 50 is more likely to stay in the recess that it occupies, and the strap portion 22 is more likely maintained along the length of the device.

[0056] If the user wishes to adjust the longitudinal position of the strap portion 20, he/she only needs to manually push in the desired direction when the strap 20 is loosened. Beyond a given threshold of bias, the spring 60 is sufficiently deformed so that the journal 50 changes recesses 56, 57.

[0057] The spring is calculated to allow an easy manual manipulation while preventing ill-timed changes in position.

[0058] The second embodiment of the invention is described hereinafter by means of FIGS. 4-6. For reasons of convenience, it is mainly the particularities of this embodiment that are shown.

[0059] A retaining device 80 is partially shown. As known, the device 80, retained on a board 81, has in particular a base 82 and a first edge 83, as well as a strap that has a first portion 84.

[0060] According to the invention, the guide has a first slit 85, on the one hand, and a second slit 86, on the other hand, both being provided in the first edge 83.

[0061] The first slit 85 is parallel to the edge 83 and is transversely demarcated by an outer wall 87 and an inner wall 88. The first slit 85 opens out at the top 89, as well as at the front surface 90 of the edge 83.

[0062] The second slit 86 is substantially perpendicular to the edge 83, and extends through the first slit 85. The second slit 86 has the general shape of an oblong hole that runs substantially parallel to the base 82. However, it could also not be parallel to the base.

[0063] As for the stop, it is provided in the form of a journal 100 having an axis 101.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the journal 100 extends through the first strap portion 84 such that its axis 101 is substantially perpendicular to the first portion 84.

[0065] The journal 100 is guided along the first edge 83 by the second slit 86, and the first strap portion 84 is guided by the first slit 85.

[0066] The following arrangement, for example, is provided for the quick locking mechanism. A shoulder 102 is made toward one of the ends of the journal 100. The latter is introduced in the second slit 86 by successively extending through the inner wall 88, the first portion 84, the outer wall 87, then a curser 103, until the shoulder 102 abuts against the inner wall 88.

[0067] A lever 104 is then added, in the area of the other end of the journal 100, articulated about an axis 105 that is substantially perpendicular to the journal axis 101 When the lever 104 is folded down in a locking position toward the edge 83, as is the case in FIG. 5, a first series of teeth 106 of the curser 103 is engaged with a second series of teeth 107 of the outer wall 87 of the edge 83. This results in the immobilization of the curser 103 along the edge 83. Consequently, the journal 100 and the strap portion 84 are immobilized along the edge. Here again, a rotation of the strap portion 84 is possible about the journal.

[0068] When the lever 104 is retracted in an unlocking position, as is the case in FIG. 6, the first 106 and second 107 series of teeth can be separated. Consequently, the user can displace the journal 100 and the strap portion 84 in the direction of the length of the second slit 86.

[0069] The user can thus manually adjust the position of the strap without using a tool.

[0070] For each example, the invention is made from materials and according to implementing techniques known to one skilled in the art.

[0071] The invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described hereinabove, and it includes all technical equivalents that come within the scope of the following claims.

[0072] In particular, the guides, the stops and the quick locking mechanisms could be different.

[0073] Furthermore, the retaining device can be provided without a base. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for retaining a boot on a sports apparatus, said device comprising: a first lateral edge; a second lateral edge; at least one strap connected to each of the edges by first and second fasteners; at least one of the fasteners includes a guide located on one of the elements that constitute the edge and the strap; a stop located on the other of the elements that constitute the edge and the strap; a mechanism for locking the stop with respect to the guide.
 2. A retaining device according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is a quick locking mechanism.
 3. A retaining device according to claim 1, wherein the guide is a slit provided in the lateral edge, the slit being oriented parallel to the edge, the slit having a wide portion on the side of the lower surface of the device, as well as a narrow portion on the side of the top of the edge, and wherein the stop is a journal mounted on the strap along an axis substantially perpendicular to the strap, the strap being introduced in the slit so that the journal takes support on a surface for separating the wide and narrow portions of the slit.
 4. A retaining device according to claim 3, wherein the quick locking mechanism is a quick locking mechanism having alternating projections and recesses on the separating surface, as well as an elastic means that constantly biases the journal toward the separating surface.
 5. A retaining device according to claim 4, wherein the elastic means is a leaf spring having ends engaged under ribs of the walls of the slit.
 6. A retaining device according to claim 1, wherein the slit opens out in an area of the lower surface, of the top of the edge, and of the front surface of the edge.
 7. A retaining device according to claim 1, wherein the guide has a slit substantially perpendicular to the edge, the slit having the overall shape of an oblong hole, and wherein the stop is a journal, the journal extending through the strap and the slit.
 8. A retaining device according to claim 7, wherein the locking mechanism has a shoulder made on the journal, a lever articulated on the journal, a cursor, a series of teeth on the cursor and a series of teeth on the edge, a manual action causing the engagement or the separating of the series of teeth.
 9. A retaining device according to claim 7, wherein a slit parallel to the edge receives the strap.
 10. A retaining device according to claim 1, further comprising a base provided to be opposite the boot sole, the base being laterally bordered with the first lateral edge and by the second lateral edge.
 11. A retaining device according to claim 10, wherein the guide is substantially parallel to the base. 